I’ve had a brand crush on Alaska Seafood {ASMI} since I met their team at the FoodBuzz Blogger Festival in 2012. Growing up in Florida with a pescatarian mother I consume A LOT of seafood, so naturally I was a magnet to a brand focused on domestic seafood and sustainability. When I found out our cruise ship was making a stop in Juneau, Alaska {where the ASMI office is located} I had to use the opportunity to meet their current team and pick their brains about everything seafood.

My mom, aunt, and I headed straight from the cruise ship to meet Arianna and Christine from ASMI at Taku Smokeries, an Alaskan seafood processing company. Taku is a smaller processing facility that places a heavy focus on quality. Here, we learned how they use each part of the fish: the roe is carefully removed and processed in a special area within the facility, the heads are taken to an area where they grind for uses like pet food, and the rest is carefully cleaned and trimmed before shipping out to retailers. I loved that we were able to visit every square inch of this facility and witness how clean the process is. The question was asked, “would a beef processing facility allow you to see the entire behind the scenes?”. We unanimously agreed probably not.

My favorite experience of the tour was trying freshly cured roe. The Taku roe was very delicate in flavor and saltiness and the exterior at a slight chew when it burst in your mouth. If I had bagels and cream cheese in my purse, I could have spent all day snacking on nothing but bagels and roe. Is the takeaway that I should keep bagels and roe in my purse?

Scroll to the bottom of this post for answers to seafood FAQ.

Luckily our next stop was food related, so I was able to part ways with the bowl of roe. We walked across the way to Tracy’s King Crab Shack, where we enjoyed everything crab: king crab legs, crab bisque, and crab cakes. I was blown away by the richness of the king crab legs {in the best way}. And the straightforwardness of the crab bisque and crab cakes was really delightful. I am always a fan of simple and perfect over an over-complicated classic.

When we were filled to the brim with crab and butter, we went to Sheep Creek to see salmon spawning {laying eggs}. The amount of salmon packed in the shallow creek was incredible – every square inch for as far as eyes could see was filled with fish.

The female salmon were flapping their back fin, making holes in gravel to bury eggs. And the male salmon were pushing through the crowds before arriving at the eggs they’d fertilize. And after fertilization, both the female and male chum salmon went to chum salmon heaven.

The limited life span of salmon may be common knowledge, but it was surprising news to me. I immediately texted my boyfriend and, since we’re both passionate about eating a more sustainable diet, we both committed to eating more salmon.

From there we hiked to Nugget Falls. Hanging with locals, we were able to escape the hiking crowds and take the super scenic local route. The water fall was nothing short of majestic and, after hiking in an unseasonably warm 80 degrees, its powerful mist was the perfect reward.

And then, because we were at the height of cruise-mode, it was time for afternoon cocktails at a new local hot spot, Amalga Distillery. Everything about this joint was lovable: the name of the spirits {Juneauper!}, mason jar cocktails, custom wallpaper. It would have been a fantastic end to our day in Juneau, but since we were on a 10-minute feeding schedule…

We had to sneak in a final feast before hopping back on the ship! And I’m so glad we did. I’m still thinking about the freshest fried fish we devoured at Deckhand Dave’s. The fried halibut and rockfish in both the tacos and fish ‘n’ chips were our favorites. And it was such a treat to meet Deckhand Dave himself, who discovered his love for cooking while cooking for his fishing boat crew.

Facts we learned about Alaska Seafood

Which species of salmon come from Alaska?

King, Sockeye, Silver, Pink, and Chum

Which species has the highest levels of Omega 3

King Salmon

Are any of these species endangered?

None of these species have ever been on an endangered or protected list.

Does salmon have a high mercury content?

Salmon has a low mercury content as it is a relatively small fish with a diet that consists of mostly insects, invertebrates, plankton, shrimp, and other small fish. Salmon also contains selenium, which binds to mercury and helps it exit the body before lodging into fatty tissue.

Where can Alaska seafood be purchased in Austin, TX?

Whole Foods, Central Market, HEB, and Coscto {!}

Which seafood at Costco comes from Alaska?

Sockeye Salmon, Halibut, and True Cod

How do you know where seafood comes from?

Brands are required to indicate the source of seafood on the label, so be sure to check that your seafood is coming from Alaska.

When is salmon in season?

May through September

Is the salmon you purchase in your local seafood department always previously frozen?

If salmon is purchased while it’s in season, May through September, it may be fresh {check signage or ask}. However, salmon has been previously frozen if it is purchased out of season.

I’m at the very beginning of what promises to be one of the best vacations of my life. My mom, aunt, and I are spending 11 days together, flying to Seattle, riding a train to Vancouver, and then cruising around Alaska. And although it’s an extended adventure, our time in Seattle was limited. And we were determined to make the most of it.

We started by selecting a cozy hotel in the perfect location. With the comfiest beds, walkability to a cluster of tourist stops, delicious in-hotel restaurant, and quick cab ride to the train station, the Sheraton Seattle was the perfect choice.

We were greeted with chilled champagne, fruit-filled pastries, and a panoramic view of Seattle’s skyline. It was the most incredible spot to have our first champagne toast.

The second we hit the street, we faced a sign that guided us in the right direction. This sign appeared before Google Maps loaded, that’s how close we were to our destinations. Everything was falling into place quite nicely.

Our first stop was the Seattle Aquarium. Growing up in Florida, it’s always fascinating to me to see sea life from the other coast. The fish were electric and the sea lions and otters were as adorable as could be. I also spent too much time staring at the octopus, which made me oddly hungry for polpo.

After the museum, which took less than an hour, we walked over to Pike Place Market. My mom and I visited the market during a recent Seattle trip, but my aunt hadn’t been since she was a flight attendant over 20 years ago. It was definitely worth another visit – we all dreamed about having a market like this near our homes. And we also picked up some pastries for early morning train ride the next morning.

That was about all we could fit in before our dinner reservation. I dine super early these days so I have appropriate amounts of daylight for photos, so 6pm reservations are a real thing for me. But we promised ourselves we’d make it back out for more touristing after dinner.

Upon first glance at Loulay, you could tell it was going to be a lovely meal. The scale of the restaurant was intimate and unlike an ordinary hotel restaurant. And the hostess guided us to a window seat, which made me happier than you could ever imagine.

We were presented with some more bubbles, which was such a wonderful surprise. And from there we ordered both innovative and classic cocktails while we glanced over the menu.

Dungeness crab everything grabbed our attention. The Dungeness crab salad and Dungeness crab risotto were must-order-dishes for us. And we supplemented our crab fix with the oysters on special and a charcuterie plate. After we finished each dish, it was the consensus among the table that we were beyond pleased with every single dish that hit our table. We were the perfect amount of satisfied.

After dinner, we changed into lounge clothes and headed to the Seattle Great Wheel. On the way there it dawned on us that it was about to be sunset, which was an ultra exciting revelation.

I highly recommending riding the wheel at sunset. The water and the city had the most beautiful glow and it was a super memorable way to spend an evening. And walking to and from, with all of the hills and stairs, allowed us to sneak in some much-needed steps.

After a fun-filled half-day in Seattle, we were pleased to post up in the fluffiest bed with crisp, white covers {perhaps my favorite thing about hotels}. And in the wee hours of the morning, there were cabs waiting outside that carted us to King Street Station, which was only one mile away.

Regardless of how much time you spend planning and how perfect an itinerary looks on paper, it’s always a beautiful thing when your experience exceeds your expectations. If you find yourself in Seattle for a quick trip, whether it be for work or before a cruise, I highly recommend staying at the Sheraton Seattle to make the most of your stay.

Disclosure: Although the Sheraton Seattle kindly hosted our stay, the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.

Although The Cordova Inn kindly provided us with a media rate for our guest room,the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.

St. Petersburg is worlds different today than it was during my late-1990s jaunts from Safety Harbor to attend punk rock shows at The State Theatre. Once vacant storefronts have been muraled and are now bustling with business. Tower cranes have a presence in the relatively mid-rise town, indicating the already wonderful evolution is still in motion. And many of the town’s historic buildings have received thought-filled facelifts.

When I was scouring the internet for places to spend our two nights in the Berg, my search criteria was focused primarily on character and walkability. The Cordova Inn, located at 2nd Ave N, blocks away from Central Ave, was my first choice.

Hosting guests since 1921, The Cordova Inn is the longest operating hotel in St. Petersburg. The current ownership has transformed a once run-down building into a beautifully restored space for people with a desire to be immersed in St. Petersburg culture. While staying at The Cordova Inn, we were able to walk to every meal, passing by the Williams Park Market, Jannus Landing, and dozens of yachts floating in the Bay.

And at this hotel, more than any I can recall, we spent a significant amount of time in the common areas. Perhaps my favorite detail about The Cordova Inn is their partnership with neighbor, Locale Market, to provide complimentary charcuterie and wine during their weekend Social Hours. This time allowed us time to get acquainted with the hotel staff and other guests, making the lobby a welcoming spot to hang out.

The charcuterie board was out of this world delicious {and beautiful}. After enjoying the selection of meat and cheese on Friday afternoon, we spent much of Saturday looking forward to the next Social Hour. It was also nice to pop down for a glass of wine to bring back to the room while we planned our next adventure.

Each weekend morning, we woke up to fresh Locale Market croissants, fruit, yogurt, and coffee. What we intended on just being a morning snack was plenty to keep us full until our next meal. And let me just tell you, I’m still dreaming of the custard filled croissant!

Overall, The Cordova Inn exceeded every expectation. It was truly the most wonderful place to stay as I spent the weekend introducing my boyfriend and his daughter to places and things of my childhood. Thank you, The Cordova Inn, for your hospitality – we hope our paths cross again soon!

Although The Cordova Inn kindly provided us with a media rate for our guest room,the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.

When Amy {of What Jew Wanna Eat} and I arrived in Santa Fe, we were warned that everyone wishes they had just a few more days to experience everything the city has to offer. Within hours of our itinerary, we already knew the feeling. We jam-packed our Wednesday to Saturday itinerary. And when we missed a beat, we didn’t fret. It was understood that we’d catch that thing on our next trip to Santa Fe.

Buffalo Thunder Resort – Red Sage – Cocktails

It was during our last trip together where I discovered how much I love a scheduled massage first on the agenda. I’m wound so incredibly tight that massages are my best chance for quickly entering vacation mode. Knowing this, we drove straight from the Albuquerque airport to the Buffalo Thunder Resort for our “get into vacation mode” treatment which consisted of an express massage, lots of beautiful cocktails, and the best beef selection imaginable. Every hotel should offer this trifecta upon check-in!

Ten Thousand Waves – Izanami – Interior

From there, we drove up a nearby mountain to Izanami: an upscale Izakaya restaurant located in the Ten Thousand Waves spa. Motivated by our food-driven days ahead, we opted to climb the 91 steps that led to the restaurant rather than hitching a ride.

The interior was intentionally different than most dinner dining experiences. With brighter lighting and without background music, the focus was on conversation without distraction. And with guest attire ranging from spa gear to business suits, the entire vibe of the restaurant was welcoming.

Izanami – Omakase Menu Item

We ordered the omakase {tasting menu} so we could experience as much of the menu as possible. The omakase also included a ton of seafood, which appealed to Amy and me after our beef-filled lunch. My favorite was the hamachi and tuna dish pictured above. I’m such a fan of fish served with citrus.

Inn of the Governors – Santa Fe

After a very long first day, we checked into our room at the Inn of the Governors. I can’t write enough positives about this hotel. First, it was in the center of it all. From the time we arrived, we barely needed to drive anywhere. And the decor let you know exactly where you were at all times, vacation in Santa Fe. I appreciate when a hotel is part of the town. The hotel also had super cute social activities like tea and sherry happy hour where they encourage guests to mingle. And although we didn’t have time to fit it in, word on the street is one of the best burgers in town can be found at the hotel’s bar, Del Charro.

Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen – Breakfast Burrito

Our first breakfast in Santa Fe was at Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen. We shared a few dishes like the breakfast burrito {pictured above} that was stuffed with black beans, sweet potato, fried egg, and green chile. It’s easy for a burrito of any kind to be on the heavier side and I was pleased that Sweetwater Harvest’s version was on the lighter side and made with feel-good ingredients. We also sampled the carrot cake quinoa bowl and housemade kombucha, both of which were fantastic. I’m definitely going to try to recreate carrot cake quinoa at home – so keep an eye out for that on Instagram!

Meow Wolf – Giant Robot in Parking Lot

Next on our agenda was Meow Wolf, an immersive art experience a few minutes from downtown. This was, hands down, my favorite art exhibit of any kind {ever}. It was a cross between a funky art gallery, an abandoned haunted house, and a life-size play house. And I loved it! Amy and I splurged on the one-dollar 3D glasses, which made everything come to life {even more}. And we spent hours climbing through secret passageways. At one point, we climbed through a refrigerator that led us into a room filled with a glow in the dark dinosaur skeleton and then left the dinosaur by crawling out of a fireplace that led into a fully decorated living room.

Meow Wolf – Neon Trees

Left to right, up and down, the inside of Meow Wolf was covered with things that blew your mind. Whether it was a walkway of neon, glow in the dark trees or a wall of TVs playing a combination of old movies and random static patterns, you could never predict what was up next or how one thing led to the other. We could have spent the rest of the day there, but chocolate elixirs were calling our names.

Kakawa Chocolate House – Chocolate Elixir

Kakawa Chocolate House was a place that we couldn’t help but go to twice. During our first visit, we shared a salted caramel brownie and sampled almost ever single elixir before deciding on one to fill our cups. Our second time around, we ordered the equivalent of chocolate “take-out”: a half dozen truffles, chocolate elixir mix to-go, and an elixir cup for our blogger bud in Austin.

Cowgirl – The Mother Burger

Lunch at Cowgirl gave us a chance to binge on the green chiles we’d heard so much about. Amy added green chiles to her turkey reuben. And my mind was made up as soon as I saw “The Mother”, a winning burger in the Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown! “The Mother” is made up of a beef and buffalo patty topped with melted brie, truffled green chile, and tomato with a cheddar and green chile bun. Typically a burger is a burger is a burger, but this was one of the most creative burgers I’d ever tasted!

The Sage Inn – Tequila Mockingbird

Santa Fe has developed a Margarita Trail that is a really excellent way for restaurants/bars to collaborate and for visitors/residents to experience Santa Fe. We were able to check out one stop along the Margarita Trail by tasting the Tequila Mockingbird margarita at The Sage Inn. In addition to having the best margarita name possible, we both really enjoyed The Sage Inn’s take on this classic cocktail.

The Palace – Porcupine Shrimp

Our final meal of our first complete day in Santa Fe was at The Palace. Upon seating, Chef Jennifer Doughty came to our table to introduce herself and explain the menu. She offered to provide a sampling of a variety of menu items, a suggestion that was right up our alley. I especially enjoyed the porcupine shrimp, which consisted of giant shrimp wrapped in kataifi then fried. The shrimp was delicate and crunchy and totally hit the spot.

Modern General – Green Chile Cilantro Corncakes

The next morning we ventured to the most adorable place on our journey, Modern General. The quaint store was filled with natural light, Anthropologie-esque kitchen and garden tools, and a restaurant that served up sweet and savory pancakes. I can’t recall the last time I had such an internal struggle about offering to share, but it was borderline painful to offer Amy a bite of my green chile cilantro corncakes – I loved them that much. I mean.. an egg on a pancake is just about the most FoodFash thing to do. And the best part of this visit was finding out that Modern General’s sister restaurant, Vinaigrette, serves these corncakes at their Austin location. Hooray!

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum – Santa Fe, NM

Our last day was our first day to explore the downtown area, which was extremely pedestrian friendly and safe both day and night. There are dozens of museums we wanted to explore, but decided that the Georgia O’Keeffe museum was best for this trip. I wasn’t expecting anything other than colorful flowers and I was pleasantly surprised by the range {noticeable in the picture above}.

Andiamo – Linguini Arrabiata

By the time we hit our last lunch spot in Santa Fe, it was difficult to imagine eating another bite. But when I saw linguini arrabiata on the Andiamo menu, I couldn’t resist. I finished the entire dish that I was convinced I barely had room for, all the while shocked at the diversity of the Santa Fe food scene.

LaPosada Resort & Spa – Santa Fe

Aside from all of the food and tourist attractions listed above, perhaps the most special aspect of Santa Fe is how ingrained diversity is in their history and culture. Hearing the following stories about Santa Fe’s history of Native Americans, religious collaboration, and strong women, I couldn’t help but to fall in love with the city even more.

Surrounding areas of Santa Fe are home to Native American Pueblos, not reservations. Meaning, Native Americans still reside on their original land and were not forced to relocate.

Abraham Staab, a wealthy, Jewish merchant whose grand home was later turned into the LaPosada Resort {pictured above}, helped fund the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisiwhen construction halted due to lack of funds. As a thank you, the Cathedral has a Tetragrammation in Hebrew carved in the arch above the entrance.

A powerful woman by the name of Maria Gertrudis “Tules” Barceló ,who made a fortune through gambling and prostitution, loaned funds to the U.S. Army during the Mexican/American War in 1846, leading to continued occupation of Santa Fe.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Park

And after a very food-filled, culture-rich, information-dense few days, we put on stretchy pants and soaked up some nature at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Park. We took in a bunch of deep breaths and said “See ya again soon, Santa Fe!”.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Park

Disclosure: Although most of the businesses within this post kindly hosted our trip, the opinions in this post are completely my own and based on my experience.

Hello and Welcome!

I'm Kristin - a Florida girl turned Austinite, adventuring my way through life. Whether I'm in the kitchen, around town, or 1000 miles away, I'm sure to put myself in the midst of merriment.... and then write about it! Read More…